Macromolecular Research最新文献

In order to improve the adsorption capacity of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) for heavy metals, a new thiourea-modified poly(vinyl alcohol) adsorbent (TU-SPVA) was prepared using PVA as the raw material, glutaraldehyde as the cross-linking agent and thiourea (TU) as the modifier. The preparation conditions of TU-SPVA were optimized by one-way experiments and response surface methodology (CCD), and the adsorption mechanism was investigated using adsorption kinetics, adsorption isotherm, and adsorption thermodynamics, and the results showed that the optimum conditions for the preparation of TU-SPVA were as follows: pH 6.06, m(TU):m(SPVA) = 6.1:1, and the preparation time of 2.47 h. The maximum removal rate of Cr(VI) by TU-SPVA was 99.37%. The modification reaction in the preparation of TU-SPVA mainly occurred on the hydroxyl group (-OH) of the PVA molecular structure, and the -NH₂ and -C = S functional groups, which can be coordinated with heavy metal ions, were introduced through hydroxyl aldehyde condensation and Schiff reaction. The adsorption of Cr(VI) by TU-SPVA was more consistent with the quasi-secondary kinetic equation and Langmuir model, and the adsorption is a non-spontaneous exothermic process. Combined with the results of scanning electron microscopy and infrared spectroscopy, the adsorption mechanism of TU-SPVA on Cr(VI) is mainly coordination, ion exchange and electrostatic effect, and void filling.

Graphical abstract

The graft modification method was used to prepare TU-SPVA, and the optimum preparation conditions of TU-SPVA were investigated, TU-SPVA has a more obvious pore structure than PVA. The adsorption mechanism of TU-SPVA on Cr(VI) was analyzed using the Langmuir et al. adsorption model.

Poly(benzodifurandione) (PBFDO), a recently developed n-type conductive polymer, shows promise as an alternative material for bioelectronics, particularly in neural probes. This study systematically evaluates the electrical, mechanical, and biocompatibility properties of PBFDO and compares its performance with the widely used material for bioelectronics; poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS). The intrinsic doping mechanism of PBFDO provides high electrical conductivity (up to 2000 S/cm) without requiring external dopants, enhancing its environmental stability and simplifying fabrication. Surface characterizations revealed uniform coatings and hydrophilic properties suitable for bioelectronics. Notably, PBFDO demonstrated exceptional electrical stability in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), retaining 97% of its initial conductivity after three days. Biocompatibility assays using NIH-3T3 fibroblast cells showed no cytotoxic effects, with cell proliferation rates comparable to bare glass and crosslinked PEDOT:PSS. These findings establish PBFDO as a robust and biocompatible material for next-generation bioelectronic devices, including neural probes, biosensors, and implantable electrodes.

Graphical abstract

We highlight PBFDO as a promising biocompatible electrode material for neural probes. PBFDO demonstrates intrinsically high conductivity, exceptional stability in aqueous environments, and excellent biocompatibility, all without the need for modification or post-treatment, outperforming PEDOT:PSS. These properties make PBFDO an ideal candidate for use in neural probes, offering superior material performance.

We propose an efficient method for fabricating superamphiphobic surfaces with hierarchical micro/nano-structured morphologies on microhoodoo structures that exhibit high liquid impact resistance. The proposed method combines optical microscopy, photolithography, replica molding, and spray coating of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)/silica nanoparticle (SiNP) solutions. We systematically investigate key parameters influencing the water and hexadecane repellency of these surfaces, including (i) the center-to-center distance between PDMS microhoodoo structures, (ii) the PDMS-to-SiNP mixing ratio, and (iii) the spray volume. Notably, optimizing the spray volume within a critical range improves the uniformity of the hierarchical surface texture, stabilizes the Cassie–Baxter state, and facilitates liquid bounce. This innovative approach provides valuable insights into the design of superamphiphobic surfaces, resulting in practical applications such as water- and oil-resistant, self-cleaning, anti-icing, and antifouling surfaces.

Graphical abstract

Efficient fabrication of superamphiphobic surfaces with hierarchical micro/nano-structures on microhoodoo structures, achieved through optical microscopy, photolithography, replica molding, and spray coating of PDMS/SiNP solutions. Key factors influencing liquid repellency—such as microhoodoo spacing, PDMS/SiNP ratio, and spray volume—are systematically explored. Optimizing spray volume enhances surface texture uniformity, stabilizes the Cassie–Baxter state, and promotes liquid bounce, leading to practical applications in self-cleaning, anti-icing, and antifouling surfaces.

Currently, the rapid increase of potential thermoplastic waste, which does not circulate back into ecosystem through biodegradation, has led to valuable resource waste and environmental pollution. To utilize the economic value and reduce environmental impact, ecofriendly biomass-based wood polymer composites (WPCs) were produced from potential thermoplastic waste blends. Both recycled polystyrene (rPS) from electronic waste and recycled high-density polyethylene (rHDPE) from post-consumer waste were used as polymeric matrices. Ethiopian indigenous lowland bamboo particles (Oxytenanthera abyssinica), which had never been used in WPC, was utilized as the dispersed phase reinforcement. The formulation involves in situ reactive melt blending and chemical crosslinking using maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (MAPP) and dicumyl peroxide (DCP) as an organic catalyst initiator, without preliminary solvent-based bamboo particles treatment. The properties of WPCs formulated from varying sizes of LLB particles and compositions of rHDPE, rPS, and their equal melt blends were thoroughly investigated using established standards. Similarly, the chemical composition, structure, crystallinity, thermal degradation, and contaminants of the recycled plastics, as well as the composition of indigenous LLB, were carefully evaluated and characterized before use. In situ melt blending and reaction induced crosslinking interfaced with MAPP compatibilizer and DCP crosslinking synergistically enhanced the composite properties, which were not achieved with separate polymer matrices. The result shows a very significant increase in fundamental static and dynamic mechanical properties, including thermal stability of the composites compared with uncoupled composites. Formulated WPCs can provide low-cost and sustainable building materials which can replace energy intensive and non-sustainable conventional building materials.

Graphic Abstract

Wood polymer composites (WPCs) were produced using blends of recycled polystyrene (rPS) and recycled high-density polyethylene (rHDPE) from post-consumer waste with Ethiopian indigenous lowland bamboo particles (Oxytenanthera abyssinica). The formulation involves in situ reactive melt blending and chemical crosslinking using maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (MAPP) and dicumyl peroxide (DCP) as an organic catalyst initiator, without preliminary solvent-based bamboo particles treatment.

Non-isocyanate polyurethanes have rapidly risen as an environmentally friendly substitute to traditional isocyanate-based polyurethanes. Here, a crosslinked non-isocyanate polyurethane (CNIPU) was prepared with cyclic carbonate, polyamine, and diglycidyl ether via simple ring-opening and transcarbamoylation methods. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirm the successful preparation of CNIPU. When the CNIPU is used as the pigment-dyeing binder for cotton fabric, the thermochromic microcapsules can be fixed on the fiber surface. The dyed fabric shows excellent thermochromic property and its color fastness can reach above 4 grade. This work offers an efficient strategy to utilize non-isocyanate polyurethane to fabricate pigment-dyed fabrics with green and sustainable route.

Graphical abstract

Synthesis of a crosslinked non-isocyanate polyurethane binder and its application in pigment dyeing.

The linear and branched polyethyleneimine (PEI)-based materials have shown their potential applications in various fields including water purification technologies. Due to several primary, secondary, and tertiary amine groups in their structure, PEIs as such and PEI-based copolymers, hybrid materials, and nanocomposites are capable of entrapment or adsorption of contaminants from different categories such as dyes, heavy metal ions, pharmaceuticals, and oils. The latest interesting reports in the literature about PEIs-based materials have proved the continued interest and significant advancements in these materials for developing new and highly efficient adsorbents. This review provides important basic information about PEI and its structure, a glimpse of its various applications, and, collective information with an analysis of the latest works on PEI-based materials developed to be used as adsorbents for the adsorption removal of pollutants from water. The latest advancements are discussed with the main results while the interesting data about types of materials developed, pH, adsorption time, etc. is reported in tabular format. The report concludes with the study’s main findings and future prospectus regarding synthetic polymer chemistry challenges in PEIs and PEI-based materials.

Graphical abstract

Schematic representation of the adsorption of various pollutants onto linear and branched polyethylenimine (PEI).

A straightforward approach to prepare a nanocomposite hybrid hydrogel through simultaneous processes of nanoparticle formation, polymerization and crosslinking processes induced by sunlight is reported. This method requires just the gold precursor and acrylamide monomers to form a hydrogel network without the need of any initiator or crosslinking agent. The synthesis is based on a synergistic approach where the acrylamide monomer (AM) acts as a reducing agent and capping ligand to obtain gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), while the presence of these nanostructures induce both the polymerization and the crosslinking process.

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The use of xanthan gum (XG) in various fields is of significant interest due to its exceptional rheological properties, including viscosity, yield stress, and thixotropy. This article reports on the dependencies of steady shear stress and apparent viscosity on both shear rate and XG concentration based on experimentally obtained data using continuous shear. Three plastic models are used to analyze steady shear flow behavior and estimate yield stress. Additionally, the apparent viscosity is thoroughly discussed using the Ostwald–de Waele model. The results indicate that the aqueous XG solutions showed viscoplastic behavior. It was found that the experimental data fit better with the Herschel–Bulkley model, with high correlation coefficient (R² ˃ 0.909). XG concentration did not have a significant effect on apparent viscosity at high shear rates, ranging from 300 to 700 1/s. A mathematical model was developed to assess yield stress across a wide range of XG concentrations, from 0.01 to 4 wt%. Furthermore, a multiple regression model was created to evaluate the apparent viscosity as a function of XG concentration (ranging from 0.025 to 3 wt%) and shear rate.

Graphic Abstract

The apparent viscosity and yield stress of xanthan gum solutions were deeply investigated.